Aston Villa have received a huge boost ahead of their Boxing Day game against Liverpool with Philippe Coutinho back in training and in-line to return against his former side.
Coutinho is yet to play under new Villa manager Unai emery after picking up a thigh injury in training before their 3-1 win against Manchester United at the start of November. The 30-year-old was instantly ruled out of contention for Brazil's World Cup squad and looked set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
The six-week Premier League hiatus allowed Coutinho time to step up his recovery without the pressures of imminent football, and the former Reds star was pictured several times in full first-team training earlier today as the Midlands side prepare to welcome Liverpool to Villa Park.
